Music

Setting the tone for the evening, front and centre on Stage 88, talented acts will provide you with the perfect musical backdrop to appreciate your twinkling twilight surroundings.

Each weekend of NightFest will feature a unique line up of musical geniuses. Defying genre boundaries, Kav Temperley, of Eskimo Joe fame, will headline the first weekend. Kav will be joined on stage by local band The Gypsy Scholars, Canberra duo Mondecreen and the Australian Defence Force Army Jazz Band over the first weekend.

Bob Evans, smooth alter ego of Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell, will provide the perfect soundtrack to your evening during the second weekend of NightFest. The Lowlands, The Mixxtapes and Azim Xain and His Lovely Bones will also fill the night air will music during the second weekend.

Second Weekend Line-Up

Bob Evans

Friday 29 September, Saturday 30 September & Sunday 1 October
Bob Evans, the ARIA winning alter ego of Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell, has graced the Australian music scene for more than two decades.

Mitchell is a self-confessed romantic who has written some of the country’s most beloved songs. Under the alias of Bob Evans, Mitchell has released five albums, all of which showcase the versatility and skill of this talented songsmith. Gentle, acoustic melodies prevail, enveloping the classic folk storytelling and strong emotional pull that charactises Mitchells’ substantial body of work.

Australian Defence Force Army Jazz Band

Friday 22 September

Azim Zain and His Lovely Bones

Friday 29 SeptemberKuala Lumpur-born-and-raised, currently Canberra-based, Azim brings to the table a heartfelt approach to song-writing with an emphasis on honesty and introspection, revolving around themes such as sadness, fear, inadequacy and heartache…with the odd dose of naive optimism.

The Gypsy Scholars

Saturday 23 September
The Gypsy Scholars comprise of four youthful lads who are out to make thought provoking and dancing inducing music. With a unique blend of Aussie folk and indie influences, their joyful sound will stay with all who hear them.

Formed in Canberra towards the end of 2014, The Gypsy Scholars met at the Australian National University and are made up of James Kelly, Conagh McMahon Hogan, Joel Shapero and Alec Brinsmead. With Conagh hailing from Bathurst and the remaining three from Sydney, the group move base between Sydney and Canberra with the nation’s capital remaining the spiritual home of the band.

The Lowlands

Saturday 30 September
Formed in Canberra in early 2016, the Lowlands write cleared-eyed, bittersweet folk songs. Coloured by the trio’s love of jazz and blues, their music is for drinking to, dancing to, or when you feel like you’ve got the rough end of the pineapple.

Mondecreen

Sunday 24 SeptemberThis duo channels their self-professed pent-up creative fury into their music, looking to make feet and hearts move. Conveniently, audiences nationwide also love their sound. Blending and experimenting to perfect their signature sound Mondecreen have been a hallmark of Canberra’s nightlife in recent years.

The Mixxtapes

Lead singer Mat has spent the last decade playing shows nationally and internationally. Having spent the past 8 years committed as the Lead guitarist for ITunes chart topping Reggae band Brownhill, Mat has all the experience and’ some!!